Minutemen of 1861, Samuel H. Smith, MA 8th and 19th Infantry / Sold

EIGHTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA(INFANTRY) THREE MONTHS

The 8th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil., "Minute Men," was called to Boston by Special Order No. 14, issued on the afternoon of April 15, 1861, by the Adjutant General of Massachusetts.  Having only eight companies, one company was added from the 7th Regt., a Salem unit, and one from Pittsfield, taken from the 1st Battalion of Infantry.  Leaving the State April 18, it proceeded to Annapolis, Md., on its way to the national capital.  At Annapolis two companies were placed on the frigate CONSTITUTION, guarding her until she was safely removed to the harbor of New York.  Another company was detached to do guard duty at Fort McHenry near Baltimore, Md.  The remainder of the regiment, after repairing the road-bed from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction and restoring the rolling stock of the railroad, proceeded to Washington, arriving April 26.  Not until April 30 were the men mustered into the service of the United States.  On May 11, the regiment was ordered into camp at the Relay House, Md.  Here Col. Munroe resigned on account of age and ill health, and was succeeded by Col. Edward W. Hinks, an officer destined to attain high rank before the war was done.  On July 2d the entire regiment was ordered to Baltimore, Md., the left wing arriving in the morning and the right wing in the evening of the following day.  On July 29, it was ordered to Boston, Mass., and here on August 1, 1861, it was mustered out of the service.

NINETEENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY THREE YEARS (Re-enlisted)

The 19th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was organized at Camp Schouler, Lynnfield, having for its nucleus the 1st Battalion Rifles.  The rest of the regiment came from Boston and vicinity.  By Aug. 28, 1861, the entire regiment had been mustered into the service with Col. Edward W. Hinks as its commander, and on that day, it was forwarded to Washington, arriving Aug. 30.  Assigned to Gen. Lander's Brigade, Gen. Stone's Corps of Observation, it picketed the Potomac during the fall of 1861, advancing to Harrison's Island October 21 and covering the retreat of the troops from Ball's Bluff.  The winter of 1861-62 was spent at Muddy Branch guarding the Potomac in front of Darnestown and Rockville.

In March, 1862, the regiment, now in Dana's Brigade, Sedgwick's Division, was sent to the Shenandoah, but shortly afterward the entire division was ordered to the Peninsula where it arrived Mar. 30, and was attached to Sumner's (2d) Corps.  It took part in the siege of Yorktown in April and was engaged at Fair Oaks, June 25. At Glendale or Nelson's Farm, June 30, it lost 145 officers and men of whom 33, including Major Howe, were killed or mortally wounded.

Returning from Harrison's Landing to Alexandria the last of August, early in September it joined in the advance toward Frederick, Md.  It arrived at South Mountain on the 14th just after the battle was done.  At Antietam, Sept. 17, it was heavily engaged in the West Wood, suffering severe loss including Col. Hinks who was badly wounded.  At Fredericksburg, Dec.11, the 19th was one of the regiments of Hall's Brigade, Howard's Division, Couch's (2d) Corps that crossed the river in boats under fire and fought their way through the streets of the city.  Two days later it was in the assault on Marye's Heights, losing 104 officers and men including 8 color bearers, 23 being killed or mortally wounded.  The winter of 1862-63 was spent near Falmouth.